We are just a short 27 days away from the National Scout Jamboree at The Summit Bechtel Reserve. The team and I are very excited about continuing the tradition of activating the K2BSA on site and having amateur radio demonstrations where we get thousands of scouts through the program. We will have radio merit badge classes running throughout the event and we’ll have two VE testing sessions for potential upgrades and licenses while we’re there. The operation will be much like it has in the past, we will be operating HF on 40M – 10M, D-Star on REF033A, EchoLink on *JOTA-365*, and more as time, conditions, and staffing allows. We are very thankful to Icom America for providing the transceivers for the event, this always leads to success! We’ll need your help with contacts as always, so please heed the call when we’re spotted. We’ll have more posts and pictures on the site and on our Facebook/Instagram accounts as the event proceeds.
Hamvention 2026 – Booth Volunteers Needed!
It’s that time of year again where we put on our favorite hamfest gear and head to Xenia, Ohio for Hamvention 2026! The K2BSA is always representing radio scouting in building 2 across from the ARRL. We are always staffed by volunteers to share experiences and techniques for Radio Merit Badge, Jamboree on the Air, Amateur Radio Demonstrations, and more! If you are available for a one hour shift or multiple hour shifts, please fill out the application below and let us know!
Hamvention 2026 is May 15th – May 17th at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385.
Hamvention 2026 Booth Volunteer
Jamboree on the Air / Jamboree on the Internet 2025
At the time of this posting, we’re only 27 days from the largest virtual gathering of scouts across the world!
The world’s largest scouting event is coming in October 17-19 2025 on the air and on the internet! As usual you need to register your activity on the JOTAJOTI website where you’ll receive your station ID that will most likely be asked during your QSOs.
Operating Rules
- All radio operators must operate their station strictly in accordance with FCC regulations.
- Stations should try to contact each other by calling “CQ Jamboree” or “CQ JOTA” or by answering other stations sending this call.
- Any authorized amateur radio frequency may be used. It is suggested that the scout frequencies be used, at least for a starting point. Remember your radio has a dial and move away from active nets and contesters.
- Any amateur mode of operation can be used such, as CW, SSB, PSK, SSTV, FM, and satellite. The more modes in operation, the more exciting the event will be for the Scouts.
- JOTA is not a contest. The idea is to contact other Scout stations and allow as many Scouts as possible to talk to other Scouts and learn about who they are and what they are doing. You might think about counting the Scouts on both sides of the QSO rather than the number of QSOs!
- Scout Camps on the Air is still in development, but ensure you log your contacts for inclusion in this special program once submissions are tracked.
It didn’t happen unless you got the patch! This years patch is unique, as it’s the first year we as team put together a brand for JOTA/JOTI in the US. These new elements you’ll begin to find in various publications and signs as the brand kit gets more traction. In the meantime, you can head over to the Scout Shop and order up your patches for this year!
You can find out more information on the Scouting Website or on the International Event Website. As well, you can get a preview of the new Program in Box for Cub Scout Leaders, which has not been published to the Scouting Website, but soon will.
Hamvention 2025 is here!
The booth is setup and we are ready to talk about all your radio scouting topics including Jamboree on the Air/Internet coming up in October, National Scout Jamboree coming up next summer, and more! Come say hi! We’re in Building 2 conveniently located in booth 2205.
